The power grid is in a constant state of flux, and utilities routinely have to manage supply and demand to keep the grid balanced. But since there isn’t much energy storage attached to the grid, utilities sometimes have to do this by taking measures such as firing up diesel generators on demand. But dozens of electric vehicles plugged into the grid, and managed properly, could provide these services. At the same time, utilities could pay the car owners involved in these projects, and the car owners could recoup some of the cost of electric cars, which are still pretty expensive.

She also mentions how Tom Gage, the guy behind the Tesla Roadster drive train and other significant EV technologies, has a new company called EV Grid that will tackle these Vehicle to Grid (V2G) issues.